Digital chart would be ‘pointless’

Publishers do not want to share data to make a download chart, says Paul Jackson OBE.

Comments from the former EA UK and ELSPA boss come in stark contrast to the message from trade body UKIE, which says the industry must unite and start sharing data.

When asked what he thinks is holding back a digital game sales chart, Jackson – now CEO of Railsimulator.com – replied: Self-interest by me and my peers.

I can see how many people are buying my products on a minute-by-minute basis, I have all the information I need. I don’t particularly want to share that with anyone else, and I haven’t got the slightest interest in what other publishers are doing.

I can’t see a consumer argument anymore. If I released Rail Simulator data and it showed that we were selling less than Call of Duty but more than Microsoft Flight Sim… well, so what?Does a single one of my customers decide to buy because of that? I don’t think so.

Self-declared sales are potentially divisive, therefore untrustworthy, and pointless.”